Printing apparatus



Aug. 5, 1924. 1,503,507

M. J. KOCH ET AL PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15. 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTORS Aug 5 1924.

M. J. KOCH ET AL PRINTING ATPARATUS File ov- 15. 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS Aug. 5 1924. 1,503,507

M. J. KOCH ET AL PRINTING APPARATUS Filed N vv 15. 1921 7 She ets-Sheet4 V 48 54 FF 4 Aug. 5 1924.

M. J. KOCH ET AL PRINTING APPARATUS File NOV- 15 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet 6Aug- 5 M. J. KOCH ET AL PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1921 7Sheets-Sheet, '7

Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL J. KOCH AND HARRY B. BOOSE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

rmn'rmo APPARATUS.

Application filed November 15, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MICHAEL J. KocH and HARRY B. Boosn, both citizensof the United States, and residents of the city of Pittsbur h, in thecounty of Allegheny and State of ennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Printin Appanatus, of which the following is a fu1, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates broadly to photography, and moreparticularly to printing apparatus for use in connection therewith.

At the present time it is customary to print from negatives in aplurality of diflerent ways by the use both of rotating and stationaryprinting devices. Where rotating drums have been utilized for carr ingthe negatives, they have either not con internally divided to produce aseries of separate light compartments, or they have been polygonal incross section. In the first case, it is extremely diflicult to providemeans for varying the duration of the printing period as required bynegatives having different characteristics. In the second case, it isextremely diflicult to hold the paper and films in position by means ofan endless belt, as such belt tends to arch off the flat portions of thedrum by reason of the high points on the drum.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a printingapparatus of the rotary type adapted to overcome the objections whlchexist with apparatus of this general type at present in use, and tofacilitate the operation thereof and increase the output.

The present invention also provides in an apparatus of this type acomparison device comprising representative negatives and an easilyoperable means for varying the duration of the printing period inaccordance with the characteristics of any particular film as comparedwith said comparison de- The foregoing and other objects of the presentinvention, together with their attendant advantages, will be apparent asthe invention becomes better understood by reference Serial No. 515,252.

to the accompanying specification and drawings formin a part thereof, itbein prem1sed that c anges may be made in t e details of constructionand manner of operation without departing from the scope of ourinvention or our broader claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of an apparatus constructed in accordancewith the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of such apparatus illustrating the drivingmechanism;

Figure 3 is an end view 0 the opposite end of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line IV-IV of Figure 1;

Fi re 5' is a sectional view on the line V of Figure 4 looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a detail top plan view of a portion of the rotating drum;

Figure 7 is a detail view of a portion of the timing mechanism;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the timing contact;

Figure 9 is a die rammatic view illus trating the electrica connectionsfor the present apparatus;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic end elevation of a slightly modified form ofapparatus;

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the perforatingdevice used in the apparatus illustrated in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a view corresponding to Figure 10, illustrating a stillfurther modification; and

Figure 13 is a detail top plan view of a portion of the modifiedrotating drum used with the apparatus illustrated either in Figure 10 or12.

As illustrated in the drawings, an apparatus constructed in accordancewith the present invention may comprise any desired supporting frame 2,carrying a transversely extending shaft 3 for supporting the rotatingprinting drum 4. This printing drum has preferably a uniformly curvedperiphery provided with a series of printing openings 5 extendingtherethrough, preferably Shaft 16.

. 16 carries a clutch member 17 adapted to adjacent one end of the drum.The terior of the drum is divided into a senes of separatelightcompartments 6 by partitions 7 projecting radially of the drum from thehub 8 and joined to the periphery thereof at suitable pointsintermediate the printin openings 5. Co-operatin with each the openingsis a curve transparent closure 9 secured in suitable depressions in thedrum and having a curvature conformin tothe curvature of the periphcryof sai drum.

Suitably supported within each of the compartments 6 is a non-actinicllght source 10 and also anvactinic light source 11. The

actinic light source, which may comprise any desired number of printinglights ar- I ran ed to give eflicient light distribution, is pre erablymounted in each compartment on a base 12. These bases are radiallyadjustable to vary the printing intensity ofthe light source by means ofa slot and clamping bolt construction 13 cooperating with each of thebases.

Secured to one end of the shaft 3 is a worm wheel 14 adapted to bedriven by a worm 15 on the upwardly extending drive Thelower end of thedrive shaft enga e a similarly shaped clutch member on ace of the wormwheel 18. The worm wheel 18 is in turn driven by a worm 19 on the shaft20 of an electric motor 21. The

clutch member 17 is operatively connected to the shaft 20 by a pin andslot connection 22, whereby it may be moved longitudinally of said shaftto disengage it from the worm wheel 18. This movement against the actionof a spring 23 which is normally effective for holding the clutchmembers in operative engagement, is produced by a lever 24 pivotallysecured to the frame 2 and operated by a link 25 secured to the foottreadle 26. The foot treadle is located adjacent the front of themachine in such manner that an operator may keep one foot continuouslythereon. Cooperating with the foot treadle 26 is a switch 27 adapted tobe thrown to inoperative position each time the foot treadle 26 isdepressed, as'will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

Each of the transparent closures 9 has cooperating therewith mats 28adjustably carried on suitable rods 29, as is common in this art. Forpositioning the negatives and the printing paper on the closure, theremay be provided a series of resilient stops 30, each havin. one endsecured to the drum 4, as indicate at 31, and thence bent upwardly toprovide positioning shoulders 32, as clearly shown in Figure 5. Theopposite ends of the stops extend downwardly through suitable openingsin the drum and thence outwardly to provide holding lugs 33.

Passing around a substantial portion of the periphery of the drum 4 isan endless belt 34 of any desired flexible material. This belt passesaround idler rolls 35 and 36 carried by the frame 2 with theirperipheries adjacent the eriphery of the drum 4, and thence around asecond set of idler rolls 37. The roll 35 is preferably carried by arms38 having a ivotal connection 39 with the frame 2 an extending forwardlytherefrom whereby the roller 35 may have a sli ht upward movement withrespect to the drum 4 in case an operator gets his fingers caughttherebetween. One of the rolls 37 is also preferably similarly carriedby arms 40, one of which is subject to the action of a tension spring41, the opposite end of which is attache to the frame 2 for maintainingtension on a belt 34. This belt is preferably slightly wider than thelength of the closures 9 and passes around the drum in such manner as tocooperate therewith. As each set of stops 30 move into engagement withthe belt 34, they are pressed downwardly substantially flush with theperiphery of the drum 4 and thereafter the belt maintains the negativesand printing paper in proper positlon.

Extending any desired distance around the periphery of the drum 4 at oneside of the elt 34, is a curved timing contact 42, shown in perspectivein Figure 8. The contact 42 is mounted on an insulatin backing 43 whichis secured in any desired manner to the frame 2. At its upper end, thecontact carries a wear strip 44 adapted to initially engage adjustablecontacts 45 projecting upwardly from the drum and produce a snap actionthereof. The contacts 45 may 'be made from any desired flexible materialan oblique line. By reason of this construc-' tion, it will be apparentfrom an inspection more particularly of Figure 9, that as the contacts45 are moved outwardly along the contact bars 47 they are brought intosuch a position that they will remain in enga ement with the contact 42for substantia ly the entire length thereof. As the contacts 45 aremoved inwardly, however, the periods durin which such engagement will bemaintaine are progressively decreased. Advan-j tage is taken of thisconstruction'for automatically varying the duration of the print-1n%per1od as may be found necessary.

arried by the frame 38, which carries the idler roll 35, is a comparisondevice comprising a lamp-box 48 having an open front face covered by acomparison chart. This chart may comprise a series of negatives a, b, a,d, e and f, having different characteristics and requlring,respectively, successively longer printing periods. The periphery of thedrum underlying this comparison device, may be provided with a series oflines 50, corresponding to the divisions between the comparison films ofthe chart. By reason of this construction, an operator may place anegative in position on one of the transparent closures 9, compare thesame with this comparison chart, set the contact accordingly and thepicture will be properly rinted. The non-actinic light sources 10 ineach of the compartments 6, permit this observation of the negative.

Cooperating with the entire apparatus is a table 51 having transparentupper and lower inserts 52 to permit an operator to look therethroughand observe whether or not the finished prints are being removed fromthe endless belt 34 by the doctor blade- 53 and delivered to thereceptacle 54 provided for this purpose. In the table between theinserts 52 is a non-actinic light source 55. If desired, the negativesmay be placed over the upper insert 52 and observed before being placedon the drum 4.

In order to show more clearly the wiring of the present apparatus,reference will be had to Figure 9 in which there are disclosed main linewires L and L. These wires deliver current to the apparatus through amain switch 56. In the present machine this switch is adapted to bemanually opened and closed'by an operating handle 57 having a suitableconnection 58 with the operating handle 59 for the switch, as shown inFigure 3. With the switch in closed position, current will be suppliedto the motor 21 through the wires 60, and to conducting rings 61 and 62through the brushes 63 and 64 connected to the wires 65 and 66. Theserings 61 and 62 are mounted concentrically with the shaft 3 on one endof the drum, as apparent from Figure 3, and the brushes 63 and 64 arecarried by the frame 2. Current will also be supplied to the non-actiniclight source 55 in the table 51 and to the nonactinic light source 67 inthe comparison lamp-housing 48. From the ring 61 current will flowthrough wire 68 'to one side of each of the non-actinic light sources 10within the compartments 6. The opposite sides of these lam s are inconnection with the ring 62 throug wire 69, all of the light sources 10being connected in parallel. The wire 69 also has a branch connection 70leading to one'side of each of the actinic light sources 11 within thecompartments 6. The opposite sides of these light sources are connectedby wires 71 to independent fixed conducting pivots'72. Each of thesepivots carries a frictionally mounted triangularly shaped conductingblade 73. Referring to Figure .3, as thei drum rotates in the directionof the arrow; the blades 73 will be brought into engagement with a pin74 projectingintrically connected with each of the conductin bars 47.This operation occurs just prlor to the time that a transparent closure9 is brought into position for the. placing of a negative thereon.Therefore, at the time the contacts 45 are adjusted on the bars 47,these bars are out of electrical connection and the operator is notsubjected to a shock. Continued rotation of the drum will, however,bring the blades 73 into engagement with a fixed pin 76 projectinginwardly from the frame 2. This will swing the blades in the oppositedirection into engagement with the contacts 75, thereby placing the bars47 in electrical connection with one side of the actinic light sources11. At substantially this same time, but preferably slightly thereafter,the contacts 45, so connected, engage the wear bar 44, and thence snapinto engagement with the timing contact 42. This contact is connected bya wire 77 with the opposite side of the source. of current, whereby thecircuit is completed to such of the actinic light sources as have theircontacts 45 in engagement with the timing contact. This will subject thenegatives and printing paper to a printing light for variable periods oftime depending upon the setting of the contacts 45. When it is desiredto temporarily stop rotation of the drum, the foot treadle 26 isdepressed. This will operate the foot switch 24 throwing it toitsinoperative position, as illustrated in Figure 9, whereby the actiniclight sources will be cut out of circuit. As soon as the foot treadle isreleased, the circuit will again be established to these light sourcesand the drum will continue its rotation.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that there is provided convenientmeans for rapidly operating adjustable contacts, as shown necessary by acomparison of the films being used with the comparison chart.

In certain cases, it may be desired to print on a continuous strip ofpaper. Where such is the case, the printing drum 104 may have in equallyspaced lines on its periphery a series of perforating pins p adapted topass under the endless belt 184 and perforate the printing paper betweensuccessive pictures. The printing paper may be fed from a suitablesource of supply and be wound onto a roll positively driven in anydesired manner from the drum shaft 103, otherwise, the apparatus may beconstructed exactl in accordance with the construction here1nbe-' foredescribed, with the exception that each of the transparent closures 109may have 00- operating therewith holding clips 110 for maintainingnegatives in fixed position. It will be apparent that with this type ofapparatus a series of pictures could be printed from each negative andit is therefore desirable to hold the negative fixedly in position.' Ifdesired, strips of adhesive tape may a be effectively-substituted forthe clips 110.

In Figure 12 there is illustrated a still further modification in whichthe drum 104 has no perforating points on its periphery but is adaptedto deliver the paper P be tween cutting rolls 111 driven in any desiredmanner from the shaft 103 and provided with a cut-off blade 112.

The advantages of the present invention arise from the provision ofmeans for readily comparing the films being used with a comparison chartand varying the print-- ing periods accordingly. v

Further advantages arise from the means for preventing injury to theoperator during use of the machine and from the ease of operationthereof.

We claim:

1. In a printing apparatus. a rotating drum having a uniformly curvedperiphery, means dividing, the drum into a series of light compartmentseach having an exposure-opening, an independently regulable light sourcefor each compartment, and a flexible belt extending partly around the.

periphery of said drum and cooperating with. said exposure openings,substantially as described.

2. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a uniformly curvedperiphery, means dividing said drum into a series of light compartmentseach compartment having an exposure opening, an indepenct-' entlyregulable light source for each compartment, and an endless belt offlexible material extending partly around the periphery of said drum incontact'therewith, substantially as described.

3. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a uniformly curvedperiphery, means dividing the drum into aseries of light compartmentseach having an exposure opening, an independently regulable light sourcefor each compartment, a flexible belt extending partly around theperiphery of said drum and cooperating with said exposure enin and meansfor maintaining said bet un er tension. substantially as described.

4. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a uniformly curvedperiphery, means dividing said drum into a series of light compartmentseach having an exposure opening, an independently regulable light sourcefor each compartment, an endless belt of flexible material extendingpartly around the periphery of said drum in contact therewith, and meansfor maintaining said belt under tension, substantially as described. I

5. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a uniformly curvedperiphery, means dividing said drum into a series of light-compartments,each having anQexposure opening, a curved transparent closure for eachopening, an independently controlled light source for each comparement,and a flexible belt extending partly around the periphery of said drumin contact therewith and with'said closures, substantially as described.

6. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum, means dividing said druminto a series of light compartments, each having an exposure opening, alight source for each compartment, a flexible belt extending partlyaround the periphery of said drum for cooperating with said exposureopenings, and stops for each of said openings, said stops being adaptedto move inwardly when engaged by said belt, substantially as described.

7. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum having exposure openings,means for directing actinic light rays through said openings, a flexiblebelt cooperating with said openings, and stops for each of saidopenings, said stops beln adapted to move inwardly when engaged y saidbelt, substantially as described.

8. In a photo printing apparatus, a rotating drum having exposureopenings, means dividing said drum into a series of light compartments,8. light source for each compartment, and means for adjustingsaid lightsources radially, substantially as de scribed.-

9. In a photo printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a uniformlycurved periphery formed with exposure openings, means dividing said druminto a series of light compartments, each having an exposure opening, alight source for each compartment, a flexible belt cooperating with saidexposure openings, and adjustable means for controlling the energizationof said light sources, substantially as described.

10. In a photo printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a uniformlycurved periphery formed with exposure openings, means dividing said druminto a series of light compartments, each having an exposure-opening, anon-actinic light source for each compartment, an actinic light sourcefor each compartment, a flexible belt coopcrating with said exposureopenings, and adjustable means for energizing said actinic light sourcesfor variable periods of time, substantially as described.

11. In a printing apparatus, a transparent support for the negativeand-printing paper, an actinic light source cooperating therewith, anegative comparison device constituting in effect a scale, and meanscooperating with said device for varying the period of energization ofsaid light source as found necessary by comparison of the negative beingused with said comparison device, substantially as described.

12. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a series of lightcompartments, each provided with an exposure opening, an actinic lightsource for each compartment, a comparison device cooperating with Saiddrum and constituting in effect a scale, and means cooperating with saiddevice for energizing said actinic light sources for variable periods oftime as found necessary by comparison of the negatives being used withsaid comparisonfldevice, substantially as described. I I

13. In a printing apparatus,a rotating drum having a series of lightcompartments each provided with an exposure opening. an actinic lightsource for each compartment, a comparison. device having a seriesof'sample negatives constituting in effect a scale, and meanscooperating with said device for energizing each actinic light sourcefor varying periods of time as found necessary by comparison between thefilm being printed and one of said sample negatives, substantially asdescribed.

14. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a series of lightcompartments each provided with an exposure opening, a comparison devicecooperating with said drum and constituting in effect a scale. means onsaid drum cooperating with said i comparison device. and actinic lightsources controlled by said means, substantially as described.

15. In a photo printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a series oflight compartments each provided with an exposure opening, alight sourcefor each compartment, a flexible belt extending partly around theperiphery of said drum. a tim ing contact cooperating with said drum,said contact having successive portions thereof of varying widths, andadjustable contacts adapted to engage said timing contact duringrotation of the drum, said adjustable contacts controlling theenergization of said light sources, substantially as described.

16. In a printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a plurality ofexposure openings, an independent actinic light source for directinglight rays separately through each of said openings. an adjustablecontact controlling each of said light sources, and means for indicatingthe proper setting of said adjustable contacts for negatives ofdiffering characteristics. substantially as de scribed.

17. In a printing apparatus. a rotating drum having a plurality ofexposure openings, an independent actinic li ht source for directinglight rays separate y through each of said openings, an adjustablecontact gontrolling each ofsaid light sources, means for indicating theproper setting of said adustable contacts for negatives of differingcharacteristics, and means for automatically throwing said adjustablecontacts out of circuit before each setting operation thereof,substantially as described.

18. In a photo printing apparatus, a

, rotating drum having a series of printing rotating drum having aseries of printing compartments each provided with an exposure opening,an actinic light source for each compartment, an adjustable contact foreach light source, a timing contact adapted to be engaged by saidadjustable contacts for varying periods depending upon the settingthereof for controlling the v period of energization of said lightsources,

and means for automatically throwing each of said adjustable contactsout of circuit before each setting operation thereof, substantially asdescribed.

20. In a photo printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a series ofprinting compartments each having an exposure opening, an actinic lightsource for each compartment, a flexible belt for maintains ing negativesin proper position with relation to said compartments, a curved timingcontact cooperating with said drum, contacts carried by said drumadapted to engage said first mentioned contact for energizing said lightsources, and means for producing a relative adjustment between saidcontacts for varying the period of energizationof said light sources,substantially as described.

21. In a printing apparatus, a printing drum, a comparison chartcooperating therewith, said drum having. a series of indicating meansthereon cooperating with said chart. actinic light sources for saiddrum, and adjustable means cooperating with said indicating means andsaid comparison chart for energizing said light sources for varyingperiods, substantially as described.

22. In a photo printing apparatus, a rotating drum having a series ofprinting compartments each having an exposure opening, an actinic lightsource for each compartment, an adjustable contact for each compartment,and a timing contact adapted to be engaged by said adjustable contactsfor varying the printing period in accordance with the setting of theadjustable contacts, substantially as described.

23. In -a photo printing apparatus, a rotating drum having an exposureopen- 5 in an actinic light source for directing lig it rays throughsaid opening an ad ustable contact controlling said light source,

and means indicating the pro or settin of said contact for negatives ofi flering 0 aracteristics; substantially as described. 10 In testimonywhereof we have hereunto.

set our hands.

MICHAEL J. KOCH. HARRY B. 'BOOSE.

